Studies have shown that if a user interface isn’t optimized and easy to navigate, 79% of visitors will forgo the effort1. Given this, it makes sense that organizations prioritize experience and intuitiveness when selecting a new enterprise solution. However, this can often leave other core functionalities off the table, which ultimately hinders success and adoption.
When searching for an enterprise software solution, you need to use a comprehensive checklist. Do not proceed if the vendor can’t demonstrate or adhere to all of the requirements below. A particular item may seem trivial now, but it will likely matter later.
- Cost: Getting a system up and running should ideally have a fixed cost less than $10K (definitely no more than $50K.) The cost structure should be simple, without hidden charges or additional hardware purchases.
- Scalability: The solution must scale to support thousands of users, update hundreds of thousands of records per hour, and maintain databases of tens of millions of records.
- Auditability and compliance: The system must be auditable in multiple ways to guarantee compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations. It should also support standards such as HIPAA, ADA, ITIL, and CFR 21 Part 11.
- Integration: The system must include prebuilt integrations with standard technologies such as LDAP/Active Directory and MS Exchange, and support a robust set of Web Services, REST APIs, and scripting languages.
- Adaptability: It should be extendible to additional business areas. Data models, business rules, workflows, access permissions, and forms must be fully and rapidly customizable.
- Security: A fine-grained security model for precise access control that allows full integration with sensitive back-end systems without impacting the firewall.
- Accessibility: A web-based product that works on mobile devices and all PC browsers with fully automated system backups. Easy upgrades that won’t affect customizations. And the vendor should offer monetary up-time guarantees that reflect their confidence in service availability.
- Reporting: Automated dashboards, charts, and reports that provide quick insight into business processes and rules, as well as notifications of any problems.
- Independence: Your IT staff should be able to maintain and scale the system themselves after no more than one week of training, rather than trapping you into long-term dependence.
- Vendor stability: The vendor should have at least 10 years of experience providing enterprise solutions with a reputation for strong business practices.
To read more about each of these requirements and how the Agiloft solution stacks up against them, visit: https://www.agiloft.com/vendor-checklist/
